C and C++ Coding Tools | Visual Studio2026-07-06T07:59:21-07:00

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Build modern C and C++ apps for Windows using tools of your choice, including MSVC, Clang, CMake, and MSBuild

Contains C/C++ components for desktop, mobile, Linux, and game development
Get a light and simplified installation
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By downloading, you agree to the licensing terms for the Visual Studio edition you select below. We also offer the ability to download software with Visual Studio. This software is licensed separately, as set out in the 3^rd Party Notices or in its accompanying license. By downloading, you also agree to those licenses.

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Support for every codebase

Open a codebase from any environment and get to work right away. Use MSBuild with the Microsoft Visual C++ compiler or a 3rd party toolset like CMake with Clang or mingw to build and debug your code right in the IDE. Benefit from a first-class CMake experience.

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Unparalleled Debugging and Diagnostics

Do all the basics like setting breakpoints and stepping through your code, then get more advanced with variable visualization, performance profiling, debugging any local or remote process, and multi-threaded application debugging. Run to click, edit your live code and continue executing without having to rebuild.

Free, fully-featured IDE for students, open-source and individual developers.

Powerful developer tools, services, and subscription benefits for efficient small-team collaboration.

Advanced debugging, enterprise security, AI-assisted development—plus Azure Credits and Dev/Test pricing for the cloud.